The school counseling program at Sandy Run K-8 is a collaborative effort benefiting students, parents, teachers, administrators and the overall community. The comprehensive and developmental school counseling program utilizes a planned program of activities that address the three components of student educational development, student career development, and student personal/social development. The school counseling program is provided to all students, K-12, and provides services through individual, group, and classroom guidance.

The school counseling program is developmental and includes sequential activities designed to address the needs of all students and therefore is an integral part of each school’s educational program.

The counseling program components include the direct student services of guidance curriculum, individual planning, responsive services, and the indirect services of system support.

At the elementary level, the school counseling program promotes successful achievement by assisting students in learning the skills and attitudes that focus on decision-making, skill development, awareness and exploration of future educational and occupational possibilities. The program also stresses core character traits such as respect for self and others and the acquisition in developing interpersonal relationships.

The middle school counseling program focuses on the rapidly changing needs of young adolescents. It is especially sensitive to the ”tween” years of middle school students who are searching for their own identity and trying to balance the demands of academic, career, and social competencies. School counselors also begin to work with middle school students on their Individual Graduation Plan, the requirements for a high school diploma, and post-secondary opportunities.

The school counseling programs begun at the elementary and middle schools are continued, but with more of an emphasis on helping students in becoming responsible adults who can develop realistic and fulfilling life plans based on clear understandings of themselves and their needs, interests, and skills. The Individual Graduation Plan developed in the middle school moves with the students to the high school and is reviewed and updated annually in accordance with students’ post-graduation educational and occupational goals. Continued attention is given to assisting students to develop competence in decision-making, career planning, working with others, and taking responsibility for their own behavior. High school counselors work with students and parents on information relative to post-secondary and financial aid options.